Another popular burger joint in California has temporarily closed its doors, and a sign has been posted to inform customers.
On Tuesday, people were surprised to find an In-N-Out Burger covered with a tent and surrounded by a fence.
Oakland In-N-Out Closes Amid Safety Concerns
The company has announced it is shutting down one of its locations due to rising crime rates.
In a statement, Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick said, "We've decided to close our In-N-Out Burger in Oakland, California, because of continuous crime problems.
Despite our efforts to make it safer, our customers and employees have faced car break-ins, property damage, theft, and even armed robberies."
He expressed gratitude towards the Oakland community for its support over the past 18 years but highlighted the negative impact of the closure on employees and their families.
"Even though this store is busy and makes money, we must prioritize the safety and well-being of our customers and employees. We cannot expect them to be in an unsafe place," Warnick explained.
He assured employees affected by the closure would be offered jobs at other In-N-Out locations or receive severance packages.
Warnick also mentioned In-N-Out's long-standing support for the Oakland community through its foundations, promising to continue despite the store's closure.
The store, a local favorite for nearly two decades, will close its doors on Sunday, March 24.
The San Francisco Chronicle has found that since 2019, the police have noted 1,335 crimes at or near the fast-food spot, making it the highest crime location in Oakland. Many of these crimes were car thefts, especially targeting people visiting from Oakland International Airport.
KPIX spoke to workers who have also witnessed armed thefts happening to customers.
"It's scary because we're at risk, too," said Daisy Nunez-Valenzuela, an employee at In-N-Out.
Nunez-Valenzuela observed that criminals stay away when police are around, but the patrols only last a few hours daily.
"They're always looking around. As soon as they see the police leave, they see an opportunity and act," Nunez-Valenzuela explained.
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Unexpected Closure Disappoints Loyal Lunch Crowd
The company announced on its website that its Los Angeles location is "temporarily closed." For more information, they advised checking a sign outside the restaurant, as reported by CW affiliate KTLA.
After the closure news was shared on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, one unhappy customer expressed their feelings in the comments section.
"That used to be my lunch spot," they posted.
The reason for the temporary shutdown was explained on a sign posted on the restaurant's door.
Meanwhile, a Starbucks store in the same parking lot closed late last year. To avoid car thefts, Raising Cane's has switched to only serving customers through its drive-thru. In-N-Out announced that its final day of operation will be March 24.
"This is the worst it has ever been," said Bundy.
KPIX tried to get a comment from Mayor Thao's office on Sunday afternoon but did not receive a response by the time the news was published.
The In-N-Out store's closure is part of a larger trend of businesses in Oakland closing their doors, with many owners pointing to crime as a major reason.
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